9 Classes of Dangerous Goods – Complete Shipping & Compliance Guide

Shipping Dangerous Goods (DG) requires strict compliance with national and international safety regulations. These materials can pose serious risks to human health, safety, infrastructure, and transportation systems if not properly handled.

At Singh International Xpress (SinghXpress), we follow globally recognized DG frameworks including:

• United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

• ICAO Technical Instructions (Air Transport)

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)

• IMO – International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

These regulations define how dangerous goods must be classified, packed, labelled, documented, and transported.

Dangerous goods are divided into 9 hazard-based classes. Below is a complete, easy-to-understand guide for each class.

Overview: 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods

Class 1: Explosives

Explosives are substances or articles capable of producing gases at high temperatures and pressures, causing rapid combustion or detonation.

Reason for Regulation

Explosives can cause catastrophic damage through blast force, heat, light, sound, gas, or smoke.

Sub-Divisions

• 1.1 Mass explosion hazard

• 1.2 Projection hazard

• 1.3 Fire hazard with minor blast or projection

• 1.4 Minor hazard confined to package

• 1.5 Very insensitive substances (mass explosion hazard)

• 1.6 Extremely insensitive articles

Common Examples

Ammunition, fireworks, flares, detonators, blasting caps, TNT, RDX, PETN, airbag inflators, rockets, igniters

Class 2: Gases

Gases are substances with high vapour pressure or that exist in a gaseous state at normal temperatures. This includes compressed, liquefied, dissolved, and refrigerated gases.

Reason for Regulation

Gases may be flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxidising, or asphyxiating.

Sub-Divisions

• 2.1 Flammable gases

• 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gases

• 2.3 Toxic gases

Common Examples

Aerosols, LPG, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, propane, butane, acetylene, carbon dioxide, refrigerant gases, fire extinguishers

Class 3: Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids emit vapours that ignite at temperatures below 60–65°C.

Reason for Regulation

Highly volatile and capable of spreading fires rapidly.

Common Examples

Petrol, diesel, kerosene, ethanol, methanol, acetone, paints, varnishes, perfumes, solvents, adhesives

Class 4: Flammable Solids; Spontaneously Combustible; Dangerous When Wet

These materials ignite easily through friction, heat, air exposure, or contact with water.

Sub-Divisions

• 4.1 Flammable solids

• 4.2 Spontaneously combustible substances

• 4.3 Dangerous when wet (emit flammable gas)

Common Examples

Matches, sodium, calcium carbide, phosphorus, sulphur, metal powders, oily rags, naphthalene

Class 5: Oxidisers & Organic Peroxides

Oxidisers release oxygen and intensify combustion. Organic peroxides are thermally unstable and may explode.

Sub-Divisions

• 5.1 Oxidising substances

• 5.2 Organic peroxides

Common Examples

Ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, calcium hypochlorite, sodium nitrate

Class 6: Toxic & Infectious Substances

Toxic substances can cause serious injury or death if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed. Infectious substances contain pathogens.

Sub-Divisions

• 6.1 Toxic substances

• 6.2 Infectious substances

Common Examples

Medical waste, biological samples, pesticides, cyanides, arsenic compounds, mercury, phenol, chloroform

Class 7: Radioactive Material

Materials containing unstable atoms that emit ionising radiation.

Reason for Regulation

Exposure can cause severe health hazards.

Common Examples

Medical isotopes, uranium, thorium, plutonium, radioactive ores, industrial gauges

Class 8: Corrosives

Corrosive substances destroy living tissue and materials on contact.

Reason for Regulation

Can cause severe burns and structural damage during leakage.

Common Examples

Sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, batteries, battery fluid, formaldehyde, phenol

Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

This class includes substances posing hazards not covered in other classes.

Common Examples

Lithium-ion batteries, dry ice, magnetised materials, vehicles, engines, genetically modified organisms, airbag modules

Prohibited Dangerous Goods for Courier Shipping

Many courier and air cargo networks do not accept:

• Explosives

• Radioactive materials

• Toxic gases

• Unapproved lithium batteries

• Certain chemicals and pesticides

Always confirm before shipping.

Why Choose SinghXpress for DG Guidance?

• Expert DG consultation & compliance checks

• Proper classification & documentation support

• Safe packing & labelling guidance

• Domestic & international courier coordination

📦 Singh International Xpress – Shipping with Safety & Compliance

For DG consultation or safe shipping advice, contact SinghXpress today.